Dance Programs
EXTRAVADANZA is excited to announce the various programs in the different dance disciplines that are available for the 2011-2012 Dance year.
Determination of the courses to which a student may enrol is based on the following criteria:
AGE GROUPS
The danZers are divided accordingly:
-CHILD: 3 to 5 YRS
-CHILD 6 YRS
-CHILD 7 to 9YRS
-PRE-TEEN: 10 to 12 YRS
-TEEN: 13-17YRS
-ADULT: 18+ YRS
NOTE: all age indications are approximate as regards level assignment and must be combined with physical strength and development, previous dance experience and teacherZ’ evaluation.
PROFICIENCY LEVELS:
-PRE
-BEGINNER
-BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE
-BEGINNER ADVANCED
-INTERMEDIATE
-INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED
-ADVANCED
NOTE: EXTRAVADANZA staff and administration have sole discretion in determining applicable proficiency levels.
DANCE DISCIPLINES:
BALLET:
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS:
Dance Awakening: Age 3
Rhythm, movement and music are introduced. Children learn the love of dance by playing games, using props and sharing with friends. Classes are held weekly on a 45 minute basis for 10 weeks. At the end of each 10 week session, an open demonstration class will be held to allow parentZ and family to view activities and determine the child’s progress. The children who attend all three sessions will participate in the year end recital.
Creative Movement I: Age 4
Children are introduced to the concept of basic movement: jumping, marching, walking, and hopping. Music and rhythm are also introduced. In a nurturing atmosphere, children also learn the required discipline for the ballet studio in a fun and caring way. Classes are held once a week on a 45 minute basis. The children will participate in the year end recital.
Creative Movement II: Age 5
This class will introduce children to music and movement through a structured progression emphasizing creativity, coordination, flexibility and social interaction. Classes are held once a week on a 45 minute basis. The children will participate in the year end recital.
Pre-Ballet: Age 6
This class is a prelude to ballet instruction aimed towards building physical strength, correct posture and flexibility. Children develop self-discipline, an attention span and response to rhythm and musical patterns. Classes are held once a week on a 1 hour basis. The children will participate in the year end recital. This class prepares students for the after school Classical ballet program, if this is the program of choice.
RECREATIONAL BALLET:
RECREATIONAL BALLET I
This class is offered to students between the ages of 7 to 9years who have no experience in Classical Ballet and are interested in dancing once a week for one hour. It is a beginner open ballet class that focuses on flexibility and coordination.
RECREATIONAL BALLET II
This class is offered to students between the ages of 10 and 12 years who may have some basic dance experience and who may have previously danced. This class is held once per week for one hour.
RECREATIONAL BALLET III
This class is offered to students between the ages of 13 and 17 years who may have some basic dance experience and who may have previously danced. This class is held once per week for ninety minutes.
ADULT BEGINNER BALLET
This class is designed for adults who have very little to no experience in classical ballet and are interested in improving their flexibility and coordination in a fun atmosphere.
BARRE AU SOL
Barre au sol is a body conditioning class done on the floor and designed especially for danZers. The exercises work all the muscles of the body and can be used as a regular workout class. Barre au sol uses the resistance of the floor to establish proper alignment and increased range of motion. In this class the emphasis is on abdominal strengthening, effective use of breath and upper - body conditioning as well as proper use of turn out needed for classical ballet. This is an open class for participants 10 years old and older.
AFTER SCHOOL CLASSICAL BALLET PROGRAM:
The classes in this program are carefully graded by age, physical strength and development. Students are introduced to progressive levels of ballet technique as stated in the Cecchetti Method. For the dance year 2011-2012, the Cecchetti program will be presented in a reduced version regarding training time normally required by the syllabus.
Students shall be required to take a certain number of classes to ensure specific growth in technique and artistry. They will be promoted according to individual progression acquiring technique and strength.
Ballet I- Ages 7 to 8
Two classes of one hour duration each (Two hours total per week)
Ballet II- Age 8 to 10
Two classes of 1.5 hours duration each (Three hours total per week)
*Reduced to Two classes of 1 hour duration each (Two hours total per week)
Ballet III- Age 9 to 11
Two classes of 1.5 hour each and 1 hour class of Preparation for Pointe (4 hours total per week)
*Reduced to Two classes of 1 hour duration each and may include Preparation for Pointe
(Two hours total per week)
Ballet IV- Age 11 to 13
Three classes of 1.5 hours each (4.5hours total per week)
*Reduced to Two classes 1.5 hour each (3 hours total per week)
Ballet V-Age 12 to 15
Three classes of 1.5 hours each and one repertoire class of 2 hours (6.5hours total per week including repertoire)
*Reduced to Two classes of 1.5 hour each (3 hours total per week)
Ballet VI- Age 13 to 18
Three classes of 1.5 hours each and one repertoire class of 2 hours
(6.5 hours total per week including repertoire)
*Reduced to Two classes of 1.5 hour each (3 hours total per week)
Certain classes are accompanied by a PIANIST
REPERTOIRE (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
REPERTOIRE class will introduce students to the different ballets taken from the traditional repertoire and preserved from generation to generation. The aim of these classes it to learn an understanding of the intricate syncopations and qualities of movement typical of each ballet as well as to strengthen the use of technique and sense of performance when dancing in small or larger groups. This is a unique and artistic experience bringing the student into direct contact with the creative process in all its different aspects, both human and technical ad providing an exceptional apprenticeship in classical ballet. This class is open to ballet level V and up.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL & PROFESSIONAL
Intermediate & Advanced levels
Students will focus on perfecting technique and developing artistry. The option to prepare for Mayor Cecchetti Exams is available. Classes are open to pre-professional and professional dancers who prefer training in a professional environment
Ballet Teacher Course (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
This teacher training program is geared to enhance a career path for professional dancers who wish to move into a teaching role. The course provides students with an opportunity to enhance their existing technical skills through the application of pedagogical skills appropriate to the requirements of The Cecchetti Society.
PAS DE DEUX (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Pas de Deux is a Partnering ballet class. The male danZer acts as a "third leg" for the female danZer by stabilizing, lifting, and turning her. By dancing with a partner the female danZer learns to jump higher and hold positions that she could not do alone. All danZers will work on four major areas of technique in pas de deux: promenades, lifts, turns, and jumps.
The focus will be on coordination and strength as well as the development of trust necessary to perform a pas de deux classical repertoire. This class is open to danZers enrolled in level 6 and up.
VARIATIONS (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Variations class focuses on learning excerpts of solo classical ballet repertoire from Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Coppelia, La Fille mal Gardée, Raymonda, Giselle, and more. The primary focus in this class will be on the mastering of technique and style of each piece as well as the artistry and interpretation of the different characters. This class is open to ballet level 5 and up.
BOYS’ BALLET CLASS (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
These classes are open only to male danZers. The focus is mainly on strengthening of the upper body as well as working on the male danZer’s technical requirements for classical ballet such as ‘tour en l ‘air’, multiple pirouettes, medium and grand allegro.
Additional dance disciplines available are:
New at EXTRAVADANZA IN 2011-2012
A.D.A.P.T. JAZZ
A.D.A.P.T. TAP
A.D.A.P.T. ACRO
The A.D.A.P.T. syllabus for JAZZ, TAP, and ACRO contains innovative, challenging, fun and inspiring material. It helps to create a strong and solid technical foundation along with artistic expression in each respective discipline. The A.D.A.P.T. Program is also a certified examination process in Jazz and Tap.
JAZZ
With its origins in urban America, jazz technique blends many styles and influences (Cole, Fosse, Giordano, Mattox, Luigi, and more). JAZZ dancing and technique encompasses the movement isolation of different body parts creating the appearance of a fluid and very expressive body. Jazz combines elements of ballet and tap.
Classes involve exercises to warm up and stretch muscles. Core strengthening exercises are also used for conditioning. A main focus on technique includes center control, spotting and pointing. A working knowledge of ballet technique is and training is beneficial.
BROADWAY JAZZ*
The particular focus in this course is on jazz dance in Broadway musicals. It involves a sequence of dances done as part of a musical theatre performance. Emphasis is placed on, amongst other choreographers, the BOB FOSSE style. His style is smooth and quite distinct featuring turned-in knees, sideways shuffling and the use of his trademark props, hats and gloves. The classes are a great way to learn some of the most famous musical numbers and get a sense of the theatricality Broadway dancing requires.
SIMONSON JAZZ*(available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Developed by Lynn Simonson, jazz master teacher in New York, these classes provide a movement technique for jazz/modern dance and involve frequent references to anatomy and imagery. A fundamental value is that each dancer is an individual and can learn to work and dance safely within his or her own bodily limitations.
The classes emphasize warm ups in a slow and integrated approach to getting the body ready to dance, including isolating internal and external body parts, stabilizing joints and strengthening muscles, methodically covering classical exercises needed for articulation of legs and feet, and slowly adding torso movement with spinal flexion and extension.
Part of the training is dedicated to the combination where the movement is a smooth, sweeping flow involving torso contraction, a full body layout and a strong sense of core strength. Placement is natural and without force. The dance form exhibits a sense of line, form, and spatial design.
The combination is representative of a classical style of jazz dance movements leaning toward modern dance and music is matched to emotional expression. Musical selections which may include lyrical, world beat, African, rock, blues, jazz and mainstream music, will affect the resulting dance combinations.
MUSICAL THEATRE *
Musicals integrate songs, dances and the occasional dialogue to tell a story. The style of dancing can range from jazz, contemporary, hip hop to modern, some ballet and acrobatics and beyond, to sometimes combining these styles. Emphasis is placed on the development of theatrical abilities and the use of face and eyes to convey the story. Classes are a great way to learn some of the most famous musical numbers and get a sense of theatricality.
VOCAL COACHING:
To enhance the experience of Musical Theatre, vocal coaching is available as a separate course as well as intermittently offered within the Musical Theatre classes.
TAP
The main element in tap is the legwork, combining rhythmic toe-heel stamping with glides, shuffles and turns. The upper body stays in a free-flow vertical position.
HIP HOP
Hip Hop dance integrates break-dancing with newer styles including krumping, popping, locking, waacking and more.
CONTEMPORARY* (13yrs+)
Contemporary dance is a type of performance dance that uses systems and methods found in modern dance, postmodern dance as well as classical ballet. Contemporary dance draws on modern dance techniques as well as newer philosophies of movement that depart from classical dance techniques.
INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY (10-12yrs)
Designed as an introduction to Contemporary dance, students learn the rudiments of contemporary dance as well as developing a connection between classical dance technique and performance dance particular to the contemporary dance form.
MODERN*(available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Modern dance began as an anti-traditional response to ballet. Naturalness is demonstrated through the use of bare feet and free flow movement. The movement style is generally based on the employment of the body weight in harmony with gravity, the horizontal body positions, falls and broken body lines as well as turned-in, flexed and bare feet.
LYRICAL* (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Lyrical dance is based on a combination of jazz and modern dance and some elements of ballet. It is a very interpretive dance involving the use of many emotions where e the danZers expressivity and musicality are key.
FLAMENCO*
Flamenco dancing combines passionate character and beautiful music. The dance form itself involves a combination of controlled upper body work and exciting rhythmical footwork.
AFRO-MODERN (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Afro-modern dance style is integrated into work, education, storytelling, play, as well as into the spiritual, celebratory, healing and mourning events particular to African culture.
BALLROOM (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Ballroom dance encompasses two major styles, Standard (including the Fox Trot, Quick Step and Waltz), and Latin (including the Jive, Rumba, Samba and Cha-cha). All styles require an upright, elegant posture with stylized arms and intricate footwork.
SALSA* (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Salsa dancing involves partnering and movement to the rhythm of the beat. It is non restrictive and free flowing dancing with the accompanying music ranging from fast and intense to slow and funky.
Starting with individual footwork, beginners learn the five basic steps of salsa: the basic, side break, back break, open break, and turn.
Moving on to partner work, dancers learn the arm and upper body positions, how to lead and follow, and the proper partner signals.
After learning the basics, danZers will hit the RIALTO THEATRE as a group to practice what they’ve learned during our SALSA NIGHT PARTIES where salsa dancers will dance up a storm on the floor.
TANGO ARGENTINO* (available as WORKSHOP only in 2011-2012)
Tango Argentino is primarily a social dance that originated in Argentina. Argentine tango essentially involves walking with a partner and the music. It combines various elements in a spontaneous manner, as determined by the lead. To be able to improvise, the dancer needs to learn the lead and implementation of the different single elements of Tango, so they can be produced later by leading appropriately in space and music. Classes are geared toward teaching patterns or sequences of steps that are necessary to this process.
*may be age and level restricted. Refer to specific details on the 2011-2012 COURSE SCHEDULE
DANCE-RELATED ACTIVITIES:
PILATES*
YOGA*
DANCE SPECIFIC CONDITIONING (D.S.C.)*
*may be age and level restricted. Refer to specific details on the 2010-2011 COURSE SCHEDULE All age indications are approximate and must be combined with physical strength and development, previous dance experience and teachers’ evaluation.